Celtic
Crosses
Called by many names, Irish , High, or Celtic Crosses,
they usually refer to the same thing: The ancient granite and
sandstone crosses standing at monasteries, castles, and graveyards
throughout Ireland and Scotland. Many of the original Celtic crosses
are damaged. Even those crosses in better condition force the
observer to pause to make out the detail, much of it literally
worn away by the elements, and in some instances the Vikings.
The design most associate with the Celtic cross (the cross with
a circle behind it) is most likely an adaptation of a pre-Christian
sun symbol imposed on the cross thus Christianizing its pagan
origins. Celtic Crosses have captured the imagination of not only
the faithful and those of Scot-Irish decent, but those also intrigued
by the flowing knotted designs, the symmetry, and often the visual
story the crosses tell.
